Muscat – Atheer
Applicants have responded positively to the Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) Direct Support Programme. Since the fifth edition of the programme was announced back in October, Zubair SEC has received enthusiastic responses from applicants across the Sultanate. Additionally a roadshow that was held over the country’s various governorates to promote the Direct Support Programme was also well received by keen entrepreneurs.
Lina Hussein, Head of Communication and Social Impact at Zubair SEC, said “every year we witness a noticeable interest in the Direct Support Programme by entrepreneurs and owners of small businesses. Several stakeholders from the public and private sectors have appreciated our efforts to support SMEs in developing their businesses and to help them overcome some of the key challenges that they are likely to face.”
“We understand that the SME sector is an important pillar of Oman’s economy and the Direct Support Programme has been working to build a strong core of local talent for sustainable business growth. Over the last five years the Direct Support Programme has been offering significant services to its enrolled members and demonstrating a proven track record of socio-economic impact achieved through its various facets of support.”
The past four editions of the Direct Support Programme have seen 38 winners signed up, with ten new winners to be announced in February, after the applications go through a multiple-stage evaluation.
Over the past few months, Zubair SEC has organised orientation sessions and roadshows across the Sultanate to promote the Direct Support Programme to Omani entrepreneurs and small businesses owners. The roadshow was arranged by Zubair SEC in close collaboration with the Public Authority for SME Development (Riyada) for Salalah and Sohar; the National Career Guidance Centre for the Nizwa roadshow and local youth community (Fursah) under the umbrella of Al Nahda Sport Club in Buraimi.
Zubair SEC also used the roadshow as a networking platform in order to identify any issues that young Omanis may have. Advisors spoke about the processes to follow while applying for the Direct Support Programme and the participants were briefed on the selection criteria.
Lina Hussein concluded by saying “we have connected with interested applicants in the various towns across the Sultanate and are pleased with the outcome. We are looking forward to the short listed applicants as they will all add value to the SME ecosystem, regardless of whether or not they make it to the last ten. We will offer our services and support to all members alike and explore various growth opportunities to those who demonstrate promising potential and endeavour.”
Zubair SEC’s Direct Support Programme rewards members who prove their commitment towards success and dedication in applying the consultancy and advice provided to them by the Zubair SEC team. The members’ projects and businesses should reflect strategic planning and accurate feasibility studies that echo their owners’ eagerness to apply best business administration measures with the assistance of Zubair SEC.
Winners of the Direct Support Programme receive additional direct advisory and consultancy services as well as a financial grant to support their businesses. Although all members of Zubair SEC benefit from advisory and training services, financial facilitation and support that the centre and its network of cooperative partners provide, only ten members are selected every year for the Direct Support Programme. The objective of this is to create positive competition among members, encouraging them to work harder and become more committed towards achieving their ambitions.
Zubair SEC’s Direct Support Programme is considered one of the most important of its kind within the field of entrepreneurship support in the Sultanate. The programme aims to create a spirit of positive competition between Zubair SEC’s members to enrol.
For more information on Zubair SEC and the Direct Support Programme, please send an email to [email protected] or call 24737325.
